Don’t be dissuaded by the tent venue outside the Potterrow underpass, Brits Abroad: Banned is a hilarious hour of observational comedy, that utilises the Brits’ greatest talent: laughing at ourselves.
Following an array of archetypal characters, from the lad’s lad to the stiff-upper-lipped older couple, the show explores what might happen if the stereotypical ‘Brits Abroad’ wound up in hell, rather than in Malaga or Prague, for once in their lives.
The premise is original, and the observations are so sharp that even those being made fun of would find the humour in it. Caricatures of our easily recognisable stereotypes are sent to hell to endure what would be a Brit Abroad’s worst nightmare, featuring local cuisine (paella instead of a full English on the Spanish coast), being forced to watch England’s worst football failures, and sending food back at a restaurant.
The show is centred around poking fun at some well-known, if not so well-loved, sections of British society, and the characters are exact in their representations of reality. What is more uncanny, however, is the fact that even with all the comedic exaggeration, the performance does not feel over-exaggerated. In this, the show satirises the extremeness and distinctiveness of the characters’ habits and does so with remarkable accuracy.
To enjoy the show to its fullest, a healthily self-deprecating sense of humour is necessary, as many of our British habits are called out and parodied. Expect to laugh at our overly amenable nature, drunken renditions of Sweet Caroline, and thinly veiled politeness, which, aptly enough, utilises another of our trademarks: the ability to not take ourselves too seriously. Viewers may also benefit from a full tool-belt of cultural references, including Rishi Sunak’s lamentations at not having Sky TV, and whatever ‘oi oi saveloy’ means. That said, an impressive section entirely in cockney rhyming slang is probably better when completely unaware of what is going on.
The jokes come quick and fast, which keeps up the momentum of the show, even if the plot gets a little buried in the humour at times. Still, the show’s pace and the density of the jokes keeps the audience’s full attention and makes for a very entertaining performance. Highly recommended.
Brits Abroad: Banned is running until 25 August at 19:30 in Hoots @ Potterrow – Big Yurt.
Buy tickets here.
Image by The Other Richard provided to The Student for press use.